Up vs. down-time

Although you all are probably REALLY excited at this point and don't care what I have to say, I do have a few suggestions about international travel that WILL benefit you in the long-run:

1. It is imperative that you try to sleep or get some rest on the plane.

• On the Atlanta flight, after dinner, the lights will be turned down on the plane. Please, PLEASE try to sleep or at least let the people around you sleep. They are trying to prepare you for the time change. At that point, around 8pm our time, it will be about 2 am in Denmark. Do your very best. If Benadryl makes you sleepy--you may want to consider it--with your parents' permission of course.

2. Drink lots of water on the flight.

• Even though you may hate to use plane bathrooms, drinking water is essential in combating jetlag. You also will not have to "pee" as much as you would imagine since your body is using up every bit of water you take in. Part of jet lag is dehydration, so avoid caffienated products like coke and coffee. Water and juices work much better.

3. Wear your glasses (for contact users)

• If you tend to wear contacts, you probably don't want to wear them on the plane. They will suction to your eyeballs and drive you insane. I know, I've tried. Always wear your glasses on the plane. Nobody cares (except you). It's just not good for your eyes to have dried out lenses blanketing your eyeballs for 18 or more hours.

4. Bring Benadryl along anyway

• If you tend to have fluid in your ears a lot or have a cold or allergy problems, it may be good to have Benadryl or some other decongestant/anti-histamine with you. You should take it about 45 minutes prior to landing (especially in Copenhagen). It will reduce the amount of popping and possible pain in your ears. Chewing gum also helps to eliminate some of the popping due to air pressure changes in the plane cabin.

5. Slow down!

• When students arrive in Denmark, they are so excited that they are often bouncing off the walls. Just remember, you're going to be here for practically a month. Slow down and don't run around and goof off too much right away. The majority of minor accidents (like a twisted ankle and a busted knee) have happened during our first two days in Denmark. Why? Because people are excited, jet-lagged, sleep-deprived and don't make as good of decisions and are a little off-balance. The times we have had minor incidents have been because boys (yes, boys) were showing off on skateboards or trying to balance on a brick wall. Not a good idea. Take it slow and remember, Denmark is more fun with an intact body.
• P.S. Parents, we've only had minor incidents--no major ones. Don't worry!

6. Homesickness DOES happen to SOME people.

• If you arrive and find that you don't know what to say to your host and/or are completely scared to death and/or wish you would have stayed home.....calm down--take some deep breaths. You are not the only one who feels this way or has ever felt this way when far from home in a stranger's house. During the first 3-4 days, some people will feel a bit sick, emotional, scared, even irritable. You have to remember that this is part of jet-lag and sleep deprivation. It's also a part of being out of your comfort-zone. You have to talk yourself down and remember that you can call me at any time and I'll help you get through it. Even I feel sad and sometimes weepy around day 2 or 3-it's just how my body reacts to travel. I always know that I just have to wait it out.
• The good news is, most of you won't be affected by the travel at all.

7. Don't worry, your host family doesn't know what to say to you at first either.

• Most people are really excited to get to Denmark, but don't necessarily think about what it will be like to meet the host student and his/her family. It's weird to suddenly be alone with someone you don't know and you're tired and possibly homesick at the same time. Your host family also may not know exactly what to say to you or they may try leaving you alone during the first couple of days so you can get your bearings. You have to TELL them what you want. This may sound rude to some of you, but if you are hungry or there is something you want to see or do, they don't know unless you tell them.
• Don't say "I don't care." When a host family says, "Would you like to get some food, or would you like to go take a walk by the Fjord?" Pick one. You may actually not care, but you'll make it easier for everyone if you just make a decision. Students who are honest and specific (rather than bossy/demanding OR mousy/indecisive) are good guests. Your host family will appreciate this.

That's all for now. We will talk more about all of this as we travel.